Audio questions

[MPTech]

I'd like to install a 2.1 speaker system in a Juke cab.
Since I'd like it all self-contained, I'd also like to install the sub in the cab as well.
I'm not familiar with the engineering and dynamics of the sub though.
I've de-cased the regualr speakers before for installation in my MAME cab, so that was no big deal, but if I install the sub in my Juke, can I de-case it as well? or would i need to install it case-and-all?

Also, I'll be using an older Mobo/CPU, probably a P3 600mhz I have lying around, and I'd like to get a nice sound card for it.  I remembered hearing Turtle-Beach was pretty good and I've always used Sound Blaster, so can someone make a specific recommendation on a nice / reasonably price sound-card?  (please specify the model number, if possible).

Any other suggestions for better than average sounds?

thanks, MPTech

[Barry Barcrest]

IMHO For playing back mp3's the built in sound is usually more than adequate. Turtle beach cards are nice but are really for high end midi applications as opposed  to playing back a few mp3's.

[Space Fractal]

Yes, a completly normal soundblaster, like a Audigy or X-FI should been fine.

Many motherboard based sound send also very much unwanted noise out, where it heardable. This is why I recommered to use a soundcard instead, and move it most away from the graphicscard as possible. So, if you ask me a cheap soundcard is better than motherboard sound in most chase, since they dosent have so much noise.

No, I have never heard about Turtle-Beach soundcard, and it seen they are very fine cards to playback mp3's, personly I would recommered Montego™DDL if I should choose one.

[richms]

The noise on onboard sound is also pretty bad since its really a headphone out so the levels are lower but so is the impedance, that means you have to amplify it much more then if it was line level when running it into an amp, so all the noise gets worse too.

Mind you, I have a compaq evo SFF machine, the noise is so bad that I cant even use headphones on it, and the gain is so high on the output that the resolution of the mixer is so cource that one nudge of the scroll wheel is the difference between no sound and too loud sound.

[Space Fractal]

I have checked with setup I really had on my arcade machine. Yes It seen I have used the on-board soundcard (an PcChip motherboard). Noise seen never been a problem on that machine. It a PC-Chip motherboard it have.

Generally they can send very much noise as richms say, so it recommend to use a soundcard. It nearly regardless, which one you choose. I cant recommend which one you should avoid, since I'm also using Sound Blaster (on my main machine, it a X-FI one, wich is very good with clear sound).

On my previous motherboard on work machine, I did have a lots of noise problems (but you can of course allways try out the motherboard sound before brought one a soundcard), until I got one installed.

[MPTech]

I was already convinced  that I was going to use a sound card, just trying to determine an inexpensive good one to use.


I'm still looking for an answer to:

  ... I'd also like to install the sub in the cab as well.
I'm not familiar with the engineering and dynamics of the sub though.
I've de-cased the regualr speakers before for installation in my MAME cab, so that was no big deal, but if I install the sub in my Juke, can I de-case it as well? or would i need to install it case-and-all?

does the sub require the box it's in, or can I mount it to / in the cab?

[whammoed]

I was already convinced  that I was going to use a sound card, just trying to determine an inexpensive good one to use.


I'm still looking for an answer to:

  ... I'd also like to install the sub in the cab as well.
I'm not familiar with the engineering and dynamics of the sub though.
I've de-cased the regualr speakers before for installation in my MAME cab, so that was no big deal, but if I install the sub in my Juke, can I de-case it as well? or would i need to install it case-and-all?

does the sub require the box it's in, or can I mount it to / in the cab?

Its possible to take the sub out if you can make a proper enclusure for it in your juke.  If you know the specs of the subwoofer speaker itself you can use software to figure out what size enclosure you need, whether you will be porting it or not.
http://www.linearteam.dk/default.aspx?pageid=winisd

[MPTech]

whammoed, I think you answered my question to my satisfaction.

Can it be de-cased? yes
Is it worth the hassle? not in this instance (to me)

looks like I'll be installing it in the cab "as-is".

since I plan to mount the cab on the wall, I'll probably mount the sub in the bottom facing down and drill a large hole in the bottom for the thump to exit.